Art
Major, Minor
Westminster College of Arts and Sciences
4-Year Degree
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- What You'll Learn
- Plan of Study
- Tuition and Aid
The Art Program at Westminster University
Westminster University’s art program provides many avenues for artistic exploration, development of creativity and innovation, and refined expression of ideas. By studying the fundamentals and historical contexts of art, you’ll learn to produce engaging contemporary art, hone your imagination, and develop your ability to communicate creatively.
The art program is designed to give you the skills and confidence you need to produce original, compelling works of art. You’ll study a variety of techniques, including drawing, painting, photography, and ceramics as you learn to employ your imagination and express your ideas creatively. Your professors will challenge you to take creative risks as you explore your passions both in the classroom and in focused studio hours.
Art students may use a variety of campus facilities to build skills and complete projects. Additionally, art faculty provide tips for helpful student resources and suggestions for extracurricular opportunities you may want to explore.
Who the Art Program Is For
Art is for everyone. Whether you’re still exploring your artistic capabilities or ready to jump headfirst into a particular area of specialization, the art program is designed to help you expand your technical and creative capacity.
What You'll Learn in the Art Program
As an art student you will:
- Be exposed to and gain experience in a wide variety of fine art disciplines and ideas
- Learn and develop the skills required to produce artwork of technical quality
- Develop the sensitivity, understanding, and insight to produce artwork that is personally meaningful and creatively expressive
- Develop the ability to write and speak articulately about their own and other’s artwork
- Learn skills needed for preparing, publicizing, and hanging art exhibits
- Learn to produce materials for professional presentation of their art for the purposes of gaining acceptance into exhibits, finding gallery representation, applying for grants, seeking publication, and applying for graduate school
Sample ART courses
- ART-180: Photography
- ART-206: Figure Painting
- ART-201: Wheel Throwing
- ART-209: Composition and Design
Our Faculty
David Baddley, MFA
Professor
Matt Kruback, MFA
Professor
Rebecca Penerosa, PhD
Associate Professor
ART career opportunities
As an art student, you’ll graduate with sharp artistic capabilities, and the ability to interpret the world through a variety of historical and cultural frameworks. You’ll be able to use these skills in a career as a professional artist, in graduate school, or any other field that allows you to think creatively and find innovative approaches to your work.
Potential Employers
- Oakely
- Bonneville Academy
Art Program Plan of Study
As a first-year student, you’ll take intro-level classes in the area of your interest, sharpening your skills in ceramic sculpture, composition and design, drawing, painting, photography, or digital imaging. As you move through the program, you’ll choose an area of concentration, focusing on your medium of choice. You’ll gain important context for your work through art history classes and practice your craft in one of our dedicated studios as a part of the Art program. At the end of your sophomore year, you’ll have the opportunity to choose one of 2 degree tracks: bachelor of arts or bachelor of fine arts.
Bachelor of Arts
The Art Program offers an academic major leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree and provides courses for students planning to pursue graduate studies in art, students wishing to concentrate in teaching or practicing art, and those with an avocational interest in the visual arts. The program is designed for students to develop their skills and grow confidence in their ability to produce works of art. Students enhance their general knowledge about art and art history and are schooled in a variety of techniques, including drawing, painting, photography, and ceramics. Students are encouraged to use and expand their imagination and to express their ideas creatively.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Art (Application Required)
After completing the Lower Division Art Courses, students may apply for acceptance into the Bachelor of Fine Arts program by submitting a portfolio during Spring semester of their sophomore year. Portfolios typically showcase 8–12 examples of artwork that the student produced while at Westminster University. Students know of their acceptance prior to registration for the Fall semester. Students who are not accepted may continue working as art majors in the BA track and are encouraged to reapply again the following year. Transfer students follow the same process for acceptance to the BFA track, but portfolios may contain artwork produced while studying at other institutions of higher education.
Liberal Education Courses
You must complete the WCore program or join the Honors College (and complete requirements) to fulfill your liberal education credits.
What Are the Key Benefits of the Art Program?
- On average, our studio classes are capped at 10–14 students, which means you’ll get lots of one-on-one attention and mentoring from your professors.
- Traditional methods and cutting-edge technology exist side-by-side. You’ll learn the fundamental history of each medium, while being challenged to innovate using a myriad of digital tools and technologies.
- A wide variety of special-topics courses—including Experimental Photography, Landscape Painting, Primitive Pottery, Printmaking, and Earthworks of the American West—allow you to explore new areas to round out your studies.
Tuition and Aid
There's No Better Investment Than You
Westminster University knows you want an education where you matter—a place that will serve as a launchpad for a successful career and a meaningful life. Westminster will work with you individually through every step of the financial aid process. From scholarships to grants and loans, Westminster helps you make it happen.
With the highest percentage of students who complete one or more internships in the state, Westminster students hit the ground running with real-world experience. Plus, 90% of students were either employed or attending graduate school within 5 months of graduating. With a Westminster degree, you don't have to choose between a successful career and a fulfilling life.
You’ll be automatically considered for scholarship and grant opportunities.
In addition to general merit scholarships, other scholarship programs are available to support you throughout your time at Westminster.
Check Out ScholarshipsYour tuition, fully paid
All students should have the ability to explore their passions. Westminster University is proud to cover the cost of tuition for qualifying students through the Westminster Commitment.